Artist Segun Olorunfemi gave a presentation about art from his native Nigeria, using his current exhibit in the gallery to teach the second-grade art class from Belmont Day School and the 10th-grade global studies class from Waldorf High School.

     In the past, the gallery has given private tours for book clubs and other social groups, but this was the first time students have visited for an educational presentation, said gallery administrator Nan Rogers.

     Olorunfemi's art is the first solo exhibit in the new gallery, located on the third floor of the Homer Municipal Building.

     Rogers said one of the missions of the gallery is to share the importance of art with the community, including the children.

     Clad in an African garment called a "batik," which he designed himself, Olorunfemi gave a morning presentation to the Belmont Day School students followed by a noon session for Waldorf High School.

     "They were excited to meet a real artist," said Belmont Day School art teacher Kathy Jo Solomon. "An ordinary person doing extraordinary things."

     The second-grade class at the Day School is planning to do a project about African art this year.

     Solomon said the second-graders were very inquisitive and wanted to know everything from where the artist purchased the yarn for his paintings to what technique he liked best.

     Students in the Waldorf School's global studies class are just finishing up a section on Africa, said teacher Mario Quijano.

     He said his students are very familiar with Olorunfemi's work. One of his prints, titled "Ignorance of Youth," is hanging at the school, and the artist visited Waldorf High School when it was still located in Lexington.

     "Any personal experience they have with art and the artist is inspiring," Quijano said. "To be in the presence of Segun and his amazing art clicks something inside of them. They won't look at the print in the same way."  [continue]